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Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has insisted that the club are still hopeful of securing Conor Gallagher on a permanent deal this summer, following his impressive loan stint at Selhurst Park.

What’s the word?

Speaking about the midfielder’s long-term plans, Parish revealed that the Eagles are keen to keep the 22-year-old – who recently claimed the club’s player of the year award – beyond the end of the season, despite the suggestion that he will return to parent club Chelsea next term.

Commenting on the three-cap international’s future, the 56-year-old stated that (quotes via The Athletic): “Conor’s future and that decision lies not with us but with him and Chelsea. They’re the people that have to decide. Once they decide what their choice is, they know where we are and what we want. We’re not going to pretend any different but we’ve got to respect them as a football club because he’s their player.

“At the end of the season he goes back to Chelsea and they’ll make their decision. Based on that, we’ll be there and if everybody thinks it’s the right thing for him to come back then we would love it. If it doesn’t work out, we wish him all the best as well”.

He then went on to add that: “Obviously with Conor, we’ve got to see what we can do there. He’s going back and we’ve got to either replace him or see if we can get him back.”

Vieira will be buzzing

Although it remains to be seen whether Thomas Tuchel will wish to include the £22.5m-rated man in his first-team plans at Stamford Bridge next term, it would seem there is hope renewed that the youngster could still be plying his trade in south, rather than west, London, next term.

In truth, it has been a truly standout campaign for the Blues academy graduate this term – having previously spent the second half of last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion – with the midfield starlet providing eight goals and three assists thus far.

Part of a youthful and exciting outfit under Patrick Vieira, Gallagher has thrived as an all-action presence in the centre of the park, showcasing his ability both in and out of possession.

Dubbed like “N’golo Kante with goals” by talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino, the £17k-per-week gem seemingly has a boundless energy to impact the game at both ends of the pitch, averaging 2.1 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game in the top-flight this season.

He also ranks in the top 6% for pressures made among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, as well as in the top 7 % for touches in the attacking penalty area and in the top 9% for dribbles completed, with there a plethora of strings to his bow it would seem.

With a top-half finish still within reach this term, Vieira’s men will be hoping to go one better next season and mount an attack on the top-six, with having Gallagher in tow likely to make that dream easier to realise.

IN other news, “Agreement close…”: Ornstein drops huge CPFC update that supporters will love

Everton are reportedly ready to entertain offers for first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford this summer, even if the Toffees are to survive relegation from the Premier League.

What’s the story?

That’s according to talkSPORT, who claimed that England’s current number one will push for a move away from Goodison Park if the Merseyside outfit are to be relegated to the Championship.

However, even if Frank Lampard is successful in steering Everton away from the drop, the club will listen to offers for the 28-year-old.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be interested as are Newcastle United, although given the goalkeeper’s previous affiliation with Sunderland, a move to St James’ Park seems unlikely.

Pickford has been his national team’s first-choice ‘keeper for four years whilst being Everton’s preferred shot-stopper since his move from the Black Cats in 2017.

Lampard headed for disaster

Although subject to controversy at times, the 28-year-old has been a solid goalkeeper for the Toffees.

In his time at Goodison Park, he has made 195 appearances, keeping 53 clean sheets whilst also winning 43 senior England caps.

It would be difficult for Everton to convince the shot-stopper to stay put if they are to be relegated, as playing in the Championship could seriously jeopardise his chances of maintaining his status as England’s number one.

However, if the Merseyside outfit are to retain their Premier League place for next season, losing a player of Pickford’s quality could cause disaster.

Despite being occasionally prone to an error during his time at Everton, last weekend’s incredible save against Chelsea is an excellent example as to why the 28-year-old is England’s first-choice goalkeeper and illustrates why the Toffees must hold onto him.

This season, Pickford has averaged 3.3 saves per match whilst completing all of his runouts successfully, making him a major contributing factor as to why the Blues still have a solid chance of avoiding the drop.

Going into tomorrow’s trip to Leicester City, Lampard’s men are 18th in the table, two points behind 17th-placed Leeds United. However, the Toffees boast a game in hand, which could prove vital in the season’s run-in.

There will be little that Everton can do to stop Pickford from leaving if they are to be relegated, but allowing him to move on if they survive in the top flight could well be Lampard’s first big mistake as Toffees manager and would surely leave supporters fuming given the goalkeeper’s consistency.

AND in other news: Lampard shares big pre-Leicester boost that’ll delight Everton supporters

Nottingham Forest are reportedly confident of securing the permanent signing of right-back Djed Spence from Middlesbrough during the upcoming transfer window.

The Lowdown: Top flight interest

The 21-year-old made the move to the City Ground on a season-long loan from Boro last summer where he has been an absolute revelation under Steve Cooper, making 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing five assists during that time, as per Transfermarkt.

Such form has seen Spence attracting interest from multiple top-flight clubs in recent weeks, including the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham.

Following a fresh update though, it appears that the Reds are interested in the defender’s services on more than a temporary basis and believe that they would be able to tempt him into committing his future to the club in the coming months.

The Latest: Forest confident of securing deal

Sources has revealed to Football League World that if Forest can book a place in the Premier League at the end of the campaign, the hierarchy will be ‘confident’ of landing the full-back’s signature.

It’s believed that Middlesbrough have set the asking price for their star in the making somewhere between the region of £15-£17m, with the Championship outfit possibly able to afford that, given what promotion would do for the club financially.

The Verdict: Highly-rated prospect

Before leaving Teesside, Spence signed a new deal with Chris Wilder’s side which runs until 2024, and now knowing that they have such a sought-after talent within their ranks, it won’t be easy for any potential suitors to prise him away from the Riverside.

He currently averages a 74% tackle success rate, per infogol, wins nearly six individual duels per game and completes 1.9 dribbles per game, via Sofascore, which just goes to show that he can be effective at both ends of the pitch.

Once hailed an “unbelievable” player by BBC pundit Ian Wright, the future of Spence remains very much up in the air, but with Middlesbrough also still in the fight for a top-six place with just one game left to play, whatever happens, the likelihood is that we’ll be seeing the young prospect playing at the highest level of English football next season.

In other news… a Premier League are said to be eyeing up a move for one of Forest’s pivotal players.

Looking to spend big once again in 2026, Manchester United are now reportedly ready to outbid both Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to sign a talented attacker.

Ratcliffe sets Ruben Amorim timeline

Whilst everyone else continues to panic at Old Trafford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS seemingly remain calm. The minority owners are well aware that the Red Devils’ start has been far from ideal, but are still backing manager Ruben Amorim. Speaking to The Business podcast recently, Ratcliffe revealed that he will not be making any “knee-jerk reactions”.

Ratcliffe said: “He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be.

“The press, sometimes I don’t understand. They want overnight success. They think it’s a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it’s all going to be roses tomorrow. You can’t run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week.”

Not just Zirkzee: Man Utd's £42m flop is now on borrowed time under Amorim

Manchester United’s lack of success in the transfer market has been highlighted by the failures of two players.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 9, 2025

The owner’s verdict should signal major relief for Amorim, who has been a man under pressure in recent months. Reports have even drawn up a list of replacements in the last few weeks, which range from Gareth Southgate to Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, but it looks as though United are sticking with their man for the long haul as things stand.

With that said, the transfer window is once again one to watch. If INEOS are set to stick with Amorim, then they must back him once again and potentially welcome one of the brightest young talents around.

Man Utd ready to prioritise Yildiz deal

As reported by Caught Offside, Man United are now ready to prioritise a deal to sign Kenan Yildiz in 2026 and outbid both Arsenal and Chelsea in the process.

The deal won’t come cheap, with reports suggesting that it could rise to as high as €90m (£78m) next summer. It is, however, one that is worth going all in on. Yildiz is that talented.

The Juventus star has once again been the main man in Turin so far this season, scoring two goals and assisting another four in eight games in all competitions. At just 20 years old, this is just the start for the Turkish winger, who could yet get the chance to showcase his talent on one of the biggest stages in the Premier League if United match his price tag.

Juventus teammate Gleison Bremer even went as far to describe Yildiz as their “own Lamine Yamal” earlier this season and that should tell INEOS all they need to know about the winger, who can also play attacking midfield.

After spending big in the summer, those at Old Trafford should go all out to beat Arsenal and Chelsea to sign the Juventus star next year.

Newcastle United have a big one this weekend, with title-chasing Arsenal coming to St. James’ Park in search of three points in the Premier League.

Perhaps boasting the two meanest backlines in English football, Arsenal and Newcastle typically play out hard-fought encounters, but the Magpies have shown themselves to have a strong advantage when on Tyneside, and Eddie Howe will hope to apply that once again on Sunday,

24/25

Carabao Cup

2-0 win

24/25

Premier League

1-0 win

23/24

Premier League

1-0 win

22/23

Premier League

2-0 loss

21/22

Premier League

2-0 win

Newcastle have kept four clean sheets from five Premier League fixtures so far this term, but have also struggled for their attacking sparkle.

It’s been a testing start to the season for homegrown star Lewis Miley. The 19-year-old brims with potential but was harshly criticised after the Cherries stalemate, and the manager may want to take him out of the firing line.

Why Howe should drop Lewis Miley

Howe said that the incendiary remarks, few though they were, were “totally unjustified” after Newcastle played out a drab goalless draw on the south coast.

Described as a “really good young player” by his teammate Joelinton, who rebuilt himself at Newcastle after a tough start of his own, Miley’s natural eye for a pass and his high work rate suggest he could be a real force for the Toon in the years to come.

But Howe needs to manage his rising prospect, for sure. Bruno Guimaraes is bound to return to the starting line-up against the Gunners, and Howe is likely to revert to his more compressed and accomplished three-man midfield.

Miley, let’s not forget, is a teenager and an academy star. He has a big future on Tyneside, but Joe Willock, who has also flattered to deceive this term, faces a steep fight for his future under Howe’s wing.

Newcastle's "disappointing" star has lost his place

Guimaraes missed out as Newcastle drew 0-0 with Bournemouth last weekend, ending his 67-match run of starts in the Premier League.

He returned in midweek and will be ready to influence from the outset once again as Arsenal look to chase Liverpool following the first-placed Reds’ defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Howe has various combinations he can tinker with in the engine room, but it’s certain that unleashing Willock from the start must not be among them. The versatile midfielder flattered to deceive when awarded a start in Guimaraes’ place last weekend,

Having been branded as “disappointing” a year ago by The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, Willock’s innate ability on the ball and his progressive athleticism have never been up for debate, but injuries have been his enemy on Tyneside of late, and he’s now blown a golden opportunity to lay down his marker and take a starting spot.

Branded with a 4/10 match rating by the Chronicle Live during that clash against Bournemouth on the south coast, ‘unable to make any sort of impact’.

Newcastle have their tried-and-tested midfield trident, and they should start against Arsenal. Miley deserves another shot to make a positive impression off the bench, but Willock’s days at the club appear to be numbered at this stage.

Move over Osula: Newcastle's £35m "monster" is quickly becoming undroppable

Newcastle have added some exciting talent to their ranks this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 25, 2025

Blackburn Rovers have now reached an agreement over the signing of a versatile forward player, according to a key update from journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

Ismael preparing for first summer at Blackburn

Rovers narrowly missed out on a place in the Championship playoffs in 2024/25, finishing two points adrift, and it’s now a case of kicking on next season. This summer is manager Valerien Ismael’s first chance to sign players who he believes can suit his system best at Blackburn, and the 49-year-old recently discussed his plans for the summer.

“Our job now is to keep the vast majority of this squad as I’ve learned about the players. Reliability is very important for a manager – at the same time, we need to add some of what we don’t have in the team to ensure we can compete better. We have a lot of trust in the players and, with a good pre-season and being clearer with the principles, I think we will be in a good place.”

Swansea City striker Jerry Yates is among the players to have been linked with a summer to Blackburn, but Hull City are also believed to be providing competition for his signature. It looks as though one piece of business is extremely close, though, following a fresh claim.

Blackburn reach agreement to sign winger

According to Tavolieri on X, Blackburn are now closing in on the signing of Kortrijk winger Dion De Neve, having reached a “long-term” agreement to snap up the 23-year-old. The young attacker is set to sign his contract soon and will then start his medical.

De Neve may not be a household name to Rovers supporters, but any new signing is exciting, and he could be an excellent addition to Ismael’s squad. For starters, the Belgian’s versatility stands out, with a wide attacking role his strongest position, but left-back is also an area of the pitch that he can thrive in, perhaps offering the manager a route to vary his system with attacking wing-backs.

De Neve won seven caps for Belgium at Under-17 and Under-16 level combined earlier in his career, too, showing that he was a highly thought of teenager.

A powerful runner down the left flank, he could add much-needed quality for Blackburn, as they look to make the step up to being in the playoffs next season.

Blackburn fighting QPR and Hull for "amazing" forward with 96 career goals

The Rovers are among the clubs leading the chase to sign a forward, who is now expected to leave his club this summer.

ByDominic Lund May 13, 2025

This feels like a strong start to Blackburn’s summer, and it’s now a case of Ismael bringing in more players between now and August.